People think of state parks as vast tracts of pristine wilderness, perfect for hiking and camping. But there are also many smaller state parks, some of them consisting of buildings. The Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park is one such park. It is a historic landmark that marks the site of the original Spanish mission that grew into the modern-day town of Santa Cruz. Built in 1791, it had a church and as many as 32 buildings, almost all destroyed by skirmishes with the native population and by natural disasters over the centuries.
People think of state parks as vast tracts of pristine wilderness, perfect for hiking and camping. But there are also many smaller state parks, some of them consisting of buildings. The Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park is one such park. It is a historic landmark that marks the site of the original Spanish mission that grew into the modern-day town of Santa Cruz. Built in 1791, it had a church and as many as 32 buildings, almost all destroyed by skirmishes with the native population (in 1793) and by natural disasters over the centuries. Today people know the church through a half-size replica, built in 1931, that stands on the site. Fewer people are familiar with the one remaining structure from the original mission, a dormitory for Ohlone and Yakut Indians who were converted to Christianity. Fewer people still will have a chance to see this piece of local history up close if the state government carries through its plans to close 40 percent of all state parks due to budgetary constraints. The Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park is one of the parks that could be closed; the oldest building in Santa Cruz could be shuttered.
In an effort to keep the park open, Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks is launching a new campaign. The group estimates it will cost between $50,000 and $100,000 a year to operate. Meanwhile, a new bill, AB 42, will make it easier for local non-profits to take over the management of the park. The bill was recently passed by the Legislature and is currently awaiting the governor’s signature.
It will then be up to the Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks to raise the money to operate the mission. They will be accepting donations, and they are encouraging people to take advantage of the family-oriented educational events taking place there as well. On Oct. 1, for example, visitors will have a chance to “follow the path of wool from the sheep to the shirt,” and even operate a drop spindle to spin wool. One week later, on Oct. 8, the day will be devoted to the foods eaten by the Ohlone and the original Spanish settlers. Guests will be able to make their own tortillas on a comal and taste the results of hot rock cooking and baking in a traditional horno oven. The following Saturday, there will be an opportunity to learn about local trades, including leather tanning and a candle-making workshop.
All of the events are free, but with the park slated to be closed down unless its supporters can raise enough money, chances are donations will not be turned away. Read more at KION.
